Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)
They join two equal parts (words, phrases or clauses): For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|
| and | addition | I like tea and coffee. |
| but / yet | contrast | I was tired, but I went out. He is poor, yet he is happy. |
| or | choice / alternative | Do you want tea or coffee? Hurry up, or you'll miss the bus. |
| so | result | It was raining, so we stayed home. |
| nor | and not (negative) | He doesn't smoke, nor does he drink. |
| for | because (formal) | I stayed home, for I was sick. |
Pairs
both … and · either … or · neither … nor · not only … but also
Punctuation
Put a comma before but / so / yet / nor / or when they join two clauses: I was tired, so I went to bed. No comma for short items: tea and coffee.
Watch out
- Nor is followed by inversion: nor can I, nor did she.
- So do I = me too (positive). Neither do I = me neither (negative).
- Don't use so for contrast or but for result.
En español
And = y, but / yet = pero, or = o, so = así que, nor = ni. Unen dos partes del mismo nivel.
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